Bangor, Maine News Update: March 18, 2019

Voters in Thorndike approved an ordinance that replaces their independent fire company with a town fire department, which means the town has more oversight and will appoint a fire chief, rather than approving or rejecting one nominated by firefighters. The move came after twenty seven members of the town’s fire department resigned last month over a dispute with the town.

Butterball is recalling 78 thousand pounds of ground turkey, saying it may be contaminated with salmonella. The recall affects ground turkey that was packaged on July 7th, 2018 and had a sell-by date of July 26th. Residents are encouraged to look in their freezer for any ground turkey and then check it against the information on the Butterball website.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house at the Penobscot Theatre on Saturday when a mismarked prop was used onstage during the performance of ‘Ripcord,’ and sprayed pepper spray, rather than the water that was supposed to be in the canister. Theatre officials sent a notice to those in attendance apologizing for the mistake and offering them free tickets to another performance.

Joan Benoit Samuelson isn’t done with her record-breaking streak of marathon runs, stating that she’s going to run this year’s Boston Marathon at the age of 61. Samuelson set an American marathon record and women’s course record in 1979, and returned in ’83 to set a world best, as well as winning the first Olympic women’s marathon in 1984. She last ran the Boston marathon in 2015.

Hundreds of people will converge on the town of Columbia Falls next month for Downeast Salmon Federation’s Annual Smelt Fry and Fisheries Celebration. The festival includes activities and displays about fisheries and conservation, and also serves up fried smelt, smoked mackerel, moose stew, and blueberries.